The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed Misamis Occidental province and Pilar town in Abra under Comelec control following reports of election-related violence days leading to the 2022 national and local polls.
Comelec Chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan said the poll body has received confidential reports on the alleged biased stand of several police personnel in Pilar, as well as candidates expressing concern about their safety.
This prompted the Comelec to remove police personnel in the area, including the town’s chief of police.
“We have to make this recommendation for the relief of certain officials in this area para maging effective ang declaration ng Comelec control,” Pangarungan said.
Late March this year, a standoff took place between the police and staff of Pilar Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Disono resulting in the death of one of the official’s personnel.
The police filed a case against Disono and her personnel, claiming that the incident was a result of a legitimate operation. However, the National Bureau of Investigation also filed a complaint against the legitimacy of the Comelec checkpoint where the shooting happened.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said they will immediately comply with Comelec’s decision.
“Yung personnel na ipapalit natin, those na alam yung area, probably from the Regional Mobile Force or somebody assigned before in the area,” he said.
MisOcc concerns
Meanwhile, Misamis Occidental citizens expressed alarm on the possible spillover of the violence in nearby provinces.
This is the first time Pangarungan used a Comelec chairperson’s special power to assign areas under the commission’s control. It can be recalled that the six municipalities in Maguindanao and two in Lanao del Sur were put under its control.
To ensure peaceful conduct of elections nationwide, around 40,000 PNP personnel and 42,000 Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel will be deployed. – Report from Bea Bernardo/AG – gb
